Commercial Make-Up Air SystemsEngineered for Denver Kitchens

Yes. Denver code and NFPA 96 require a make-up air supply for any commercial exhaust system above a threshold CFM. Without it your kitchen operates under negative pressure, which causes back-drafting of combustion gases, smoke rollout, slamming doors, and a guaranteed fail on your fire and health inspections.

We size MUA to match 80 to 90 percent of your exhaust hood CFM, accounting for natural building infiltration, number of hood openings, and kitchen envelope. Our engineers perform a full load calculation based on your equipment schedule, hood dimensions, and building layout before recommending any system.

A direct-fired unit passes the replacement air directly over a gas burner, and the combustion products vent safely into the kitchen airstream. An indirect-fired unit heats air through a sealed heat exchanger so no combustion products enter the supply air. Indirect units are preferred in hospitals, schools, and food-processing environments where air purity is critical.

Most make-up air installations in Denver are completed in a single day including unit mounting, gas connection, ductwork, controls wiring, and test-and-balance. We schedule around your operating hours to minimize kitchen downtime.

Yes. NFPA 96 requires that make-up air supply equals or approaches exhaust airflow, and that the system achieves effective smoke capture and containment. Hood Builder designs every system to exceed these requirements, submits permit drawings to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, and coordinates the final inspection so you get your certificate of occupancy without delay.

Absolutely. We retrofit and replace all major MUA brands including Aaon, Captive-Aire, Greenheck, Accurex, Cambridge, and others. Our process includes an existing-system audit, updated CFM calculations to match your current hood, and a full re-commissioning after installation.